Surat, a major port city in the state of Gujarat is the second largest city in the state. An important seaport frequented by ships from different parts of the world, Surat is best known for its textile & diamond trade. Majority of the world's diamonds are cut and polished here. The city lies on the left bank of the Tapti River. The city was a commercial hub in the British colonial era which resulted in people of various ethnicities settling in Surat.
Best For:
Surat is very well known for its textiles (especially sarees) & diamonds.
Surat has distinct local cuisine which is different from other parts of Gujarat. It is spicier & there are many famous local dishes that must not be missed.
Best during festivals. Sankarantri, Ganesh Chaturti, Navratri & Diwali are festivals when the city has a very festive look.
The climate of Surat is no different from the most other cities in the western part of the country. Summer is extremely hot with mercury rising to 45°C and it is best to avoid the scorching summer sun in Surat during the months April to June. Monsoon arrives in mid June & last through mid-September. Winter is the best season to visit when the weather is pleasant and temperature is low. Winter temperature varies between 12-30°C. The period between October to March is ideal for a trip to Surat.
Credit cards & debit cards are accepted at the malls & bigger merchant locations in the city. There are also a number of ATMs of different banks in the city.
No permit is required to travel to Surat, other than a visa for India. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Non-Indians can get a permit from the Government to buy & consume alcohol legally.
Surat is better connected to other cities through rail and road. Surat is an important node on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai regional corridor and is centrally located between both the cities. Since Surat is an important industrial town in the state of Gujarat, it is well connected to all the major cities in the state and the country through a good network of rails & highways.
By Air
The Surat airport has been functional since May 2007 and currently has a flight connecting Delhi to Surat operated by Indian airlines. Vadodara is the nearest well connected airport with regular flights to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bhavnagar etc
The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Ahmedabad- both being equidistant from Surat.
By Rail
Surat is an important junction on the Mumbai-Delhi-Ahmedabad broad gauge line and hence has many regular trains to other cities in Gujarat & surrounding states. The city is a part of Western Railway & is also connected to the Central railway through the Udhana junction. The Bhagalpur Express connects Surat to cities like Jabalpur, Patna etc. & Gujarat Express connects it to Mumbai & Ahmedabad.
By Road An extensive network of well connected road connect the city to important cities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. There are several luxury bus operators like Raj Travels & also State run tour operators with regular buses between Surat and cities like Ahmedabad (4 hrs), Mumbai (4 hrs), Vadodara (2 hrs) & the other cities in Saurashtra (eastern Gujarat). The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral highway system & also lies on the NH-6. NH-8 is connected to Surat through a connector highway.
Local Transport
The city has a very good bus service called SMSS service. Auto rickshaws are a convenient way for tourists to travel within the city.
Where To Eat:
Exploring the local cuisine is an experience in Surat. Extremely popular are local delicacies like Locho, Surti Ghari, Ponk, Surti Undhiyu, Rasawala Khaman & Cold coco, a variety of other cuisine is also available here like South Indian, Punjabi, Chaat etc.
In Surat you can find eateries that suit all budgets. There are many roadside stalls at every nook & corner that serve some very tasty & inexpensive food. The best option in Surat is to try the Gujarati Thali available at many restaurants in the city.
Where To Stay:
Accommodation to suit all pockets can be easily found in Surat. From luxury to budget you can find a good variety of hotels here. For travelers looking for luxury hotels, Hotel Taj Gateway Inn (at Parle Point) & Lords Park Inn (opp the railway station) are good options. Surat being an industrial town, also offers budget hotel offering a comfortable stay for visitors on business.
The Sardar Patel museum & the Old Fort: The Museum is about 100 years old & has a number of artifacts on display. The Old Fort was built by Mohammed Tuglaq in the 14th century & now houses municipal offices.
The English & Dutch cemeteries, The Dutch Gardens & the Maikapul (port from where the ships sailed) are the other ancient places of interest for tourists.
Rangupavan is an open-air theatre in Surat believed to be the biggest theatre in the country. Chowpatti & Gaurav Path are also popular hang out places in Surat.
There are a number of tourist spots near Surat that are worth a visit. Surat alone is not recommended for a holiday but when clubbed with these destinations it makes a good holiday.
1) Dumas (16 km), Hajira (28 km) & Tithal (100 km) are beaches close to Surat. Dumas & Hajira are also known for being good health resorts. These beaches are popular getaways for the locals as well as tourists visiting Surat
2) Saputara- 164 kms from Surat, Saputara is a hill resort in the midst of dense jungles. Saputara has good hotels, resorts, parks, theatres & a museum.
3) Dandi- the place where Mahatma Gandhi started the Salt Satyagraha, Ubharat- a beautiful sandy beach & Unai- known for its hot spring are the other nearby tourist attractions.
